Pressure on London police grows over dead Brazilian

Reuters ^ | Aug 17 2005

[george wythe]

London's police chief faced acute embarrassment on Wednesday after a leaked report revealed how a series of blunders led to a Brazilian man being shot dead by officers who wrongly thought he was a suicide bomber.

Jean Charles de Menezes was shot eight times by police on an underground train on July 22, the day after four would-be bombers failed in attacks on London's transport system.

A campaign group supporting de Menezes' family said the killing now resembled an illegal execution and called for the police's shoot-to-kill policy to be suspended.

[snip]

Initial police reports said the Brazilian electrician was dressed suspiciously in a heavy coat, had fled armed officers, vaulted over ticket barriers and run onto a train.

But leaked documents obtained by ITV News said CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts showed he was not wearing a padded jacket which could have concealed a bomb, and walked calmly through the station, even stopping to collect a free newspaper.

According to witnesses and statements made by police officers involved, de Menezes then boarded a train and was restrained by a surveillance officer before he was shot.

The leaked report said the intelligence operation may have been botched because an officer carrying out surveillance had gone to the toilet when de Menezes left his home apartment block, which police suspected housed one of the suspect bombers.

[george wythe]

Former London police commander John O'Connor said the reports were "catastrophic" and would put Blair under pressure.

British understatement. It's a matter of time before police commissioner Ian Blair resigns.

[nyconse]

The guy was an illegal and he ran-case closed. War is hell.

[Clock King]

Yeah, you tell an illegal just by looking at them. How insightful. /sarcasm

[george wythe]

The initial report by the police has been contradicted by this leaked report of the investigating commission.

Now the story has changed. He did not jump over a turnstile, he did not run from the police.

He walked into the station, used a card to pay for his fare, picked up a paper to read, and only ran to catch the train. Normal behavior.

He was killed after being subdued by the police.

I suspect the police has leaked these details, just like the Clintons used to do with their dirty linen. By the time the official report is published, this police mistake will be old news.

[ordinaryguy]

So, if you run to catch a train, it would be alright if the police shot you, since you might be an illegal? Is that what you are stating?

[proxy_user]

The UK police are still trying to explain their shooting of some guy who was carrying a table leg wrapped in paper.

Not to mention that they don't care to arrest any criminals, but prefer to give everyone speeding tickets.

[Redbob]

Actually reading the article, however, suggests that the Brazilian did in fact NOT run, that he was calmly strolling along until he was stopped and shot.

[ex-Texan]

If this had happened in the U.S., the television news media would be ready to lynch the police. People would be yelling for the cops' heads on a platter. But the Brits are a tougher lot. This Brazilian was in the country illegally and he ran like a rabbit from the cops. In England, you must be careful not to anger the authorities. They can lock you away for months on mere suspicion over there, especially if national security is involved.

[george wythe]

This Brazilian was in the country illegally and he ran like a rabbit from the cops.

Maybe my reading comprehension is rusty, but the leaked report seems to contradict your version of the facts.

[over3Owithabrain]

Leaked report, Reuters, BBC. I'll wait for more reliable sources.

[ex-Texan]

BBC interviewed witnesses after the event. I saw some of the interviews live on the web myself. The dead guy was running from the cops. One guy actually said "his eyes were wide and panicky" . . . This may be a fictional account of what actually took place written partially to appease with the Brazilians. In my opinion, British cops ought to talk to the reporter next.

Just my humble opinion, people. I have a right to state my opinion about controversial events. Besides, no one listens to me, anyway. I'm just a geezer living in the Peoples Republic of Oregon.

[mewzilla]

Actually reading the article...

I'd consider the source :) Trust but verify.

[freeeee]

In England, you must be careful not to anger the authorities. They can lock you away for months on mere suspicion over there, especially if national security is involved.

Funny, I had this weird idea that's why we seceeded from them.

[george wythe]

Leaked report, Reuters, BBC

Actually, the report prepared by the police commission was leaked to the BBC nemesis, ITV. Reuters is merely reporting what everybody else watched in the UK.

[mewzilla]

Has the entire report been made available? Verbatim? If not, I'd still keep my powder dry.

[george wythe]

Has the entire report been made available?

I have not seen it.

ITV News obtained pictures from the police that contradict the initial reports by the police about a heavy jacket being worn by the Brazilian.

The leaked report also indicated that Mr de Menezes was wearing a light denim jacket and not the heavily padded coat as initially claimed.

[mewzilla]

Until the entire report is made public and folks can jusge for themselves, I wouldn't take the MSM's word for anything. I remember what the Beeb pulled not too long ago.

[verity]

The entire article seems "leakey."

[DCPatriot]

Let's see.

Now he's been shot EIGHT TIMES!

This morning a talking head on ABC said that reports that he ran from police were unfounded. He was simply waiting to board his train.

We all read here that he jumped the turnstile, he bolted when he say men chasing him....he was shot FIVE TIMES in the head...to shut his brain down immediately so that a reflex wouldn't trigger a suicide bomb, etc..

Ridiculous.